Isk8NYC
12-05-2004, 08:38 AM
I've been out of the skating loop (no pun intended) so I decided to start what appears to be the first lesson thread of the new season.
Did my first group lesson program in a million years yesterday. I don't have any groups as yet, but I helped out with getting the kids to the right instructors at the right time.
There's a very nice skate guard working our "practice area" who really wants to help. He's probably 14 years old and he's afraid of getting the parents angry. So, I gave him a pep talk about how important it is to everyone, especially the parents, to keep the kids from hurting themselves or others.
We had a few reluctant first-timers, so I coaxed 2 of them onto the ice for a quick "private" lesson. (By the time they got on the ice, their "real" lesson was over.) I tried a new tactic - just having the first-timers march around off-ice in a parade. It got them moving and away from Mom and Dad (who were part of the parade-watchers.) Then, I conned the kids into coming on the ice gradually and "parading" from one rink door to another, where Daddy was waiting. With a few "ta-da's" for pride -- this was a good tactic!
I failed with the other two, even though one of them knew me and knew I had taught her sister! Win some, lose some, right?
It was wonderful to be back, and to bring my kids for their own lessons. They need the exercise after spending endless days inside the house with babysitters.
So, how did other people's lessons go this week? Tell us - we want to know!
Have a great skating season!
Isk8NYC
Did my first group lesson program in a million years yesterday. I don't have any groups as yet, but I helped out with getting the kids to the right instructors at the right time.
There's a very nice skate guard working our "practice area" who really wants to help. He's probably 14 years old and he's afraid of getting the parents angry. So, I gave him a pep talk about how important it is to everyone, especially the parents, to keep the kids from hurting themselves or others.
We had a few reluctant first-timers, so I coaxed 2 of them onto the ice for a quick "private" lesson. (By the time they got on the ice, their "real" lesson was over.) I tried a new tactic - just having the first-timers march around off-ice in a parade. It got them moving and away from Mom and Dad (who were part of the parade-watchers.) Then, I conned the kids into coming on the ice gradually and "parading" from one rink door to another, where Daddy was waiting. With a few "ta-da's" for pride -- this was a good tactic!
I failed with the other two, even though one of them knew me and knew I had taught her sister! Win some, lose some, right?
It was wonderful to be back, and to bring my kids for their own lessons. They need the exercise after spending endless days inside the house with babysitters.
So, how did other people's lessons go this week? Tell us - we want to know!
Have a great skating season!
Isk8NYC